By Andy Chappell-Dick

Bluffton's third floor meeting room was packed on the evening of Monday, May 23, as Village Council met for their regular meeting, but much of the discussion was anything but regular. More than forty spectators were on hand.

SWEARING IN OF NEW POLICE OFFICER

The first order of business was Mayor Rich Johnson performing the solemn duty of swearing in a new police officer. Skyler Noble took the oath as the Village's newest full-time officer, and afterward received a hearty round of applause.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Ricki Francis, widow of slain officer Dominic Francis, was invited to the podium by Mayor Johnson to give public comment.  In moving testimony, she thanked the community for the care and support she'd experienced.  Police Chief Ryan Burkholder took the opportunity to present her with ceremonial badges for herself and the children.

LEGISLATION

Council then turned to three pieces of legislation. The first dealt with public street painting in the Village. The proposed resolution would ban all street painting other than traffic markings, with the exception of College Avenue in front of the high school and the football stadium. 

A lengthy discussion followed among Council members, some of whom were puzzled about the intent and origin of the proposed ban.  It was broadly assumed that the legislation was directed toward the "thin blue line" memorial proposal that garnered much public controversy in the last number of weeks. 

Several indicated they did not see a need for the ban, a sentiment echoed by the Village solicitor Elliot Werth. Werth stated that it seemed like a legislative attempt to address a conflict that could be better handled in other ways. 

Police Chief Ryan Burkholder expressed support for the legislation, arguing that it would ensure that the Village remains neutral in what to some has become a political issue. 

One Council member expressed a desire to not legislate on the "thin blue line" one way or another, instead suggesting that the matter be resolved by a committee that works together to create a suitable memorial.  Several members agreed that it should be jointly funded both privately and publicly. Members also clarified that a vote for or against the motion did not indicate lack of support for a memorial.  With the end of discussion, the motion was voted on and received two votes in favor, three against, and one abstention.  It therefore failed.     

The second and third pieces of legislation dealt with excavation contracts for water and sewer work. Village They were both passed 6-0 by Council.  Administrator Jesse Blackburn explained that both needed to be passed by emergency because the contractors needed the go-ahead to begin the difficult task of sourcing materials.  He also explained that various factors had conspired to bring in both projects below their budgeted amounts.

ADMINISTRATION REPORT

Continuing with his Administrative Report, Blackburn gave updates on hiring at the swimming pool, progress on the disc golf course, and the upcoming meetings of committees working on a Comprehensive Plan and the Complete Streets Task Force.

Blackburn showed a picture of the gigantic stone placed at the south Bentley Road entrance to town, which he said is the largest single rock ever removed from the adjacent quarry.  The Bluffton in Bloom committee has decided to spend nearly their entire annual budget, $7,500, on emblazoning "Welcome to Bluffton" on its face. Council granted their approval.

Blackburn reported on two issues heading for the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals, involving two variances for residential fencing on Jared Circle and a conditional use for commercial storage on North Main Street.  Finally, he announced that mosquito fogging was set to begin the week of May 23.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

As the meeting moved to reports from the safety services committee, Council member Mitch Kingsley asked the mayor's permission to place a motion on the table regarding the "thin blue line" issue which, he acknowledged, was why most of the public was present. He suggested the formation of an ad hoc committee, to be appointed by the mayor, tasked with determining the best way to memorialize Dominic Francis and honor all of Bluffton's safety services.  In discussion, other members clarified that such a committee would address the public memorial, and would have no influence how the police department handles it internally. 

Mayor Johnson asked that each Council member suggest a nominee for him to appoint. This motion passed unanimously.

SAFETY SERVICES

EMS

Chief Jan Basinger reported that run numbers were well in excess of last year, which was a record year. The local volunteers are still handling all calls, but the department is in need of more members.

POLICE

Chief Burkholder began his report by calling everyone's attention to the biographies of all his officers included in the council packet. He stressed that this is a strong department, with little turnover, and it's important for the community to know their officers. He also announced that as a result of a suggestion in a previous meeting, he was ordering the addition of the phrase "To Serve and Protect" on the rear window of all the town's cruisers. 

Burkholder recounted an invitation he accepted from Greenville, Ohio to travel there. meet with civic and religious leaders who sought to honor Dom, and accept powerful statements of support from them. He resolved to do the same if and when other Ohio communities experience losses as Bluffton has.

PUBLIC COMMENT

At this time the mayor opened the floor for public comment.  Several people stood to speak for and against the "thin blue line" proposal, making clear that the issue is far from resolved and remains contentious.

Some advocating for the symbol felt it was being made into a political issue, while some objecting felt the symbol had troublesome symbolic overtones and was thus too political.  With the imminent creation of the mayor's ad hoc committee on the memorial, the debate will reconvene with that group.